The 24 people charged in relation to a Whakatane gang clash were represented in court by 10 lawyers. Photo/File
The 24 people charged in relation to a Whakatane gang clash were represented in court by 10 lawyers. Photo/File
The 24 people facing firearms charges after a gang clash at a funeral in Whakatane have been remanded until April.
The group face charges including using firearms against police officers, unlawfully possession and reckless discharge of firearms and participating in an organised criminal group and rioting.
All 24 were excusedfrom appearing in the High Court at Rotorua yesterday but 10 lawyers representing them appeared before Justice Rebecca Edwards.
A half-day hearing on March 27 will deal with legal applications and the accused will reappear on April 18.
The charges follow a gang clash on the streets of Whakatane on January 17 last year, when shots were fired and people scrambled for cover during a funeral procession.
The funeral was for Mongrel Mob member Tahu Kingi whose body was being transported in a motorcade of about 100 vehicles carrying other Kawerau-based members of the gang.
